In 1985, he completed his studies at the vocal faculty of the Moscow Conservatoire (Hugo Tits’s class), and in 1988 - his postgraduate work at the Conservatoire (Nina Dorliak’s class). From 1984-85, he was probationer with the Bolshoi Theatre Opera Company. From 1985-91, he went several times as a probationer to Germany, to study with Hans Hotter and to Austria, to study with Norman Shetler. In 1985-91, he was soloist with the Moscow State Philharmonia. In 1991, he joined the Bolshoi Theatre Opera Company.

At the Russian premiere of the first version of Wagner’s Der Fliegende Hollaender, he sang the role of Daland (2004, Bolshoi Theatre, conductor Alexander Vedernikov, director Peter Konwitschny).

Tours

He tours a lot in Russia and abroad. He has an extensive concert repertoire. He was the creator of the bass role in Shostakovich’s Suite on verses of Michelangelo Buonarroti for bass and organ (2004, organ part by Herve Desarbre, Glinka Museum of Musical Culture, Moscow) and he also sang this part in Greece and France (2004-05). He took part in a performance of Shostakovich’s Anti-formalist Rayok at the Moscow Conservatoire (2004, conductor Boris Tevlin), and also in the performaces on tour in Greece and France). He participated in the Basses of the 21st Century International Festival (2001, Samara), in the Mozartiana Festival (2003, Moscow), in a concert of Russian sacred music at the Moscow Conservatoire (2004) and in other events. He has toured in Japan, Germany and Italy with solo concerts, accompanied by his daughter Alexandra Naumenko (piano).

He has recorded solo discs of the songs by Mussorgsky (1998), and of works by Shostakovich (2004). He took part in the recordings of works by Richard Strauss and Franz Schubert (1987, Moscow Conservatoire).

Awards

In 1984, he won the All-Union Glinka Competition for Vocalists For artistry prize. In 1985, he won lst prize and the Elly Ameling award (for the performance of chamber works) at the International Singing Competition in Hertogenbosch (Netherlands).